This medal was the runner-up in the competition for the 50th Anniversary issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series.
The obverse bears a montage of mountains, rain drops, eagle, snail, fish, monarch butterfly, murex shell, blooming iris, oak leaf, elk, rainbow, and snowflake. Below, signed ERG / 80. The reverse bears the names of the 101 SOM sculptors up to that time, forming ten concentric circles plus JOVINE alone on an eleventh. Over this, square inscription, THE FIFTIETH / ANNIVERSARY / OF THE SOCIETY /OF MEDALISTS, with dates 1930 / 1980 at center.
Grove attempted to symbolize the nature in its smallest and largest manifestations in geology and through weather, plants, and animals. Drawing on his strengh as a highly skilled engraver, he decided to honor all SOM sculptors by name on the medal's reverse. In somewhat of an understatement, he stated that the task "was difficult and demanding, but it was also a rewarding experience; I felt not only closer to my fellow-sculptors... but also realized that we had all become part of the history of medallic art in America."
The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company in a reported mintage of 500 in bronze and an unknown number in silver.